PACIFIC ISLANDS FISHERY NEWS Newsletter of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council / Spring 2026 ISSN 2151-2329 (PRINT) ISSN 2151-2337 (ONLINE)
Navigating the Future:
American Samoa longline vessels tied up in Pago Pago Harbor. Photos: Mark Fitchett.
A Strategic Outlook for the American Samoa Longline Fishery The American Samoa longline fishery has long been a corner stone of the local economy and a critical geopolitical presence for the United States in the Pacific. Today, however, the fishery stands at a crossroads. Rising operating costs, low catch rates and historically low participation — only six active vessels in 2025 — have placed the fleet in a precarious economic position. Just a decade ago, the fleet had 18 active vessels. To address these compounding issues, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council launched a Longline Scenario Planning Project. This long-range planning effort uses a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, along with scenario planning, to better understand current conditions, anticipate future changes and build longterm resilience. Council staff and project coordinators traveled to American Samoa in November 2025 and May 2026 to meet with members of the longline fishery, local fishery management agency staff, fishery vendors, the StarKist Samoa Cannery and other community members. The project’s long-term vision is to foster a fishery that main tains a strong, competitive position in the regional tuna market while remaining rooted in the local community. The project identified four primary goals: ensuring a viable and profitable fishery, securing a competitive market position,
building stability and resilience, and fostering strong ties and support within American Samoa.
A Crucial Turning Point: South Pacific Albacore Allocations A pivotal factor in the fleet's future is the upcoming allocation of South Pacific albacore catch limits. In December 2025, the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) adopted a management procedure to establish catch controls for albacore south of 10˚S. As a result, a total allowable catch will be determined and then allocated among WCPFC members with fisheries that utilize albacore. In June 2026, delegations CONTINUED ON PAGE 2